Defence Helicopter
First CMV-22B arrives at NAS Patuxent River
The US Navy’s first CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotor has arrived at Naval Air Station Patuxent River following its ferry flight from Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas.
The aircraft is the first of two that are assigned to the squadron leading the developmental test efforts for the programme, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21. Along with representatives from Boeing and Bell, HX 21 will conduct developmental testing of the aircraft over the next year.
The first operational squadron, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30, is scheduled to receive the aircraft in summer 2020 and operational testing is slated to begin in early 2021.
The CMV-22B is a variant of the MV-22B and is the replacement for the C-2A Greyhound for the Carrier Onboard Delivery mission. The aircraft will be used to transport personnel, mail, supplies and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea. It will be capable of transporting up to 6,000lbs of cargo and/or personnel over a 1,150 nautical mile range.
The CMV-22B variant has a beyond line-of-sight high frequency radio, a public address system for passengers and an improved lighting system for cargo loading. The aircraft will also be capable of internally transporting the F-35C Lightning II engine power module.
CMV-22B is scheduled to achieve initial operational capability in 2021.
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